Dr. Michael Spink specializes in head and neck surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery. The average patient rating for Dr. Spink is 2.0 stars out of 5. Dr. Spink takes several insurance carriers, including Fallon Community Health Plan (FCHP), Cigna, and Aetna. He attended medical school at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine. He trained at Bellevue Hospital Center for residency. He has received the following distinction: Fellow of American College of Surgeons. Dr. Spink is conversant in Italian. He is professionally affiliated with Baystate Medical Center. Unfortunately, Dr. Spink is not accepting new patients at this time.

Dr. Brett Denhart works as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He is affiliated with Mercy Hospital. After completing medical school at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Denhart performed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. The average patient rating for Dr. Denhart is 5.0 stars out of 5. He accepts the following insurance: Aetna, Medicare, and Tufts Health Plan. Awards and/or distinctions Dr. Denhart has received include 1997-American Association of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons Award; Pathology Award; and Dr. Paul Boyle Award. He welcomes new patients.

Dr. Justin Clemow specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Dr. Clemow is an in-network provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Choice, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and more. He studied medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine. His medical residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with the University of Florida Health Science Center. He is professionally affiliated with Baystate Medical Center. He is open to new patients.

Dr. Richard Fraziero is a medical specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The average patient rating for Dr. Fraziero is 3.5 stars out of 5. He honors several insurance carriers, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Choice, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze.

Dr. Anthony Laudano specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery and practices in West Springfield, MA. On average, patients gave him a rating of 3.0 stars out of 5. Dr. Laudano takes Medicare insurance.

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What is Dentistry?

A dentist provides oral (mouth) health care, ranging from routine cleanings all the way to oral surgery. Dentistry is about more than just teeth: dentists also care for a patient’s jaw, tongue, lips, and salivary glands; they even check for signs of disease in the head and neck.

A dentist has a number of jobs they perform to keep their patients healthy. They examine areas inside and around the mouth to look for unusual lumps or swelling that could indicate a problem, and they take biopsies if needed. They educate their patients not only about the daily care of their teeth and gums, but also about proper nutrition and not using tobacco. Of course, teeth are their main focus, and dentists know how to treat them right. A dentist can clean, repair, remove, replace, or reposition teeth in order to prevent and treat disease.

Some disorders of the mouth and teeth require special treatment and surgery. Although a general dentist can perform minor surgical procedures such as tooth extractions, when it comes to more specialized oral care, there are dentists who have chosen to focus their education and experience in certain areas. These subspecialties include:

Endodontics, the specialty that focuses on the pulp and nerves inside the tooth (endodontists often perform root canals)

Pediatric Dentistry, which is dental care specifically tailored towards children

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which deals with surgery of the jaws and lower face; this can include everything from trauma after an accident to removal of wisdom teeth

Prosthodontics, the specialty of replacing missing teeth or bone within the mouth with prosthetics, or manufactured parts

Orthodontics, which involves aligning the teeth and shaping the jaw using braces

The health of the mouth can be a strong indicator of overall health. Dentists teach you how to take good care of your teeth, and they keep your mouth healthy and comfortable.